By Ifeoma Ikem
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), under the leadership of its National President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, has launched the Green Border Initiative (GBSI) at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Border Command, Badagry. The event featured a symbolic tree planting, medical outreach, and an empowerment programme for women and families in the border community.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General Muhammed Babandede commended the Seme Border Command for its commitment to community engagement and environmental sustainability.
“Today, I have seen synergy and collaboration with my own eyes,” Babandede said. “Even on my way from Mile 2, I noticed fewer checkpoints—a clear sign of teamwork and coordination.”
He noted that environmental degradation contributes to climate change and insecurity, urging Nigerians to embrace tree planting and sustainable practices. “When trees are cut down, herders move south, leading to conflicts. This initiative should go beyond the borders so everyone understands the importance of protecting our environment,” he added.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the CGC’s vision to address human and environmental challenges.
“We discovered healthcare as a major challenge within the command, so we decided to provide comprehensive medical support,” Adenuga said. “The outreach targets about 1,000 people with laboratory tests, medications, and free eyeglasses.”
He explained that the empowerment scheme—providing sewing machines, grinding machines, gas cylinders, and ₦50,000 start-up funds to beneficiaries—was designed to strengthen families and local livelihoods.
“When you empower a family, you secure a community,” he added.
Adenuga also lauded a philanthropist, Mr. Remi Adesanya, who donated ₦2 million to support 10 widows of Customs officers with ₦200,000 each. He further announced the handover of a newly constructed arena named after Mrs. Adeniyi to COWA as a revenue-generating facility to sustain its welfare programmes.
In her remarks, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the NCS and Seme Command for their support and recognition.
“People at the borders have long been neglected environmentally and economically,” she said. “At COWA, we are not just wives of officers; we are domestic engineers, nurses, and community builders.”
She explained that the Green Border Initiative seeks to restore degraded ecosystems, promote waste management, and empower women and youth through green entrepreneurship.
“We want to turn waste into wealth,” she stated. “Tomorrow, we’ll be in Brazil to engage global partners on the Green Border Initiative. Our goal is to empower border communities and protect our planet.”
She also noted that with CGC Adeniyi now serving as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, COWA will use that platform to promote women’s empowerment and sustainability on an international scale.
In goodwill messages, representatives of security agencies and traditional rulers praised the initiative. The Commander of the 653 Nigerian Air Force Station, Badagry, commended the Customs Service for its leadership in community welfare, while the Oba Akran of Badagry described the programme as “historic and timely.”
The Seme event reinforced the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to environmental protection, healthcare, and economic empowerment—further strengthening the bond between Customs and border communities under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
